Letter to the Editor: Oneida Police crossed line; we’re suing city

Almost a year ago, the Oneida Police were called to our home for a noise complaint. Upon arriving they found us and two other couples playing cards and having a few drinks. My wife, Valerie, spoke to the officer outside and then went back into our house. The officer followed her in the door and proceeded to attempt to cuff her, then dragged her down the porch stairs to our driveway. She was charged with a noise ordinance violation and resisting arrest.The city and the prosecutor prolonged the criminal proceedings out for a year (tax money at work) and it ended recently with all charges being dismissed on September 7. We contacted the court to get a copy of the final court disposition on what grounds the charges were dropped and we were told that the case results would not be discussed and that all files and records associated have been sealed. We find it quite strange that the city would seal files on a case involving two misdemeanors unless they had something to hide. The only thing we know is that our very expensive attorney was approaching the case under the grounds that our civil rights were violated when the officer crossed our threshold and entered our home without verbal permission from us or a warrant to enter.I have no way of knowing if the officer was reprimanded, suspended or had his pay docked. I do know he continues to patrol and “serve,” despite his actions.Now we are moving forward with a civil suit against the city. Our civil attorney has made us aware that the insurance company for the city already wants to talk “settlement.” Whatever the settlement amounts to, will also become the burden of the taxpayers. We really do not want to burden the taxpayers, but we need to get reimbursed for her medical bills, attorney’s fees for a year and other associated costs to defend her against the charges. It never should have gone this far! We would love to see the officer personally held responsible for the repayment of our thousands of dollars in expenses, but I doubt that will happen.As fellow taxpayers, please ask yourselves before voting in the next elections: “Will the people I am voting for really look out for my best interests”? When this all occurred, we wrote the acting mayor, and all the City Council members asking for action and only received responses (that were not helpful) from two city councilmen. No responses from anyone else. Take this knowledge to the voting booths with you…..